CIVIC LEADERS

LA 500: Ernest Wooden Jr.

Ernest “Ernie” Wooden Jr. has spent his entire career in the hospitality industry, including more than a decade in senior leadership positions in both global brand management and operations with Hilton Hotels Corp. An L.A.-area resident since 1999, he is president and chief executive of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. The board was created in 1977 as a private nonprofit business association. It is recognized as the official branding, sales, and marketing organization for Los Angeles.